AB Group, one of France’s leading independent television companies is launching into domestic theatrical distribution with the Norwegian hit The Wave.

Owner of 17 pay TV channels in France, Belgium, Switzerland, the group is active in local and international distribution, as well as production of documentaries, animation and TV dramas. Over the past three years, AB Group has been more aggressive in feature film acquisition and ultimately decided to open its own theatrical arm in France. “We felt that theatrical was the missing link in our library and that it was time to exploit rights across the entire distribution chain. Theatrical is also an essential launching pad to market a title on other platforms,” said Richard Maroko, AB Group Executive Vice President for Programs to nordicfilmandtvnews.com.

AB Group will release its films under the theatrical label ‘Panorama’ and Roar Uthaug’s disaster movie The Wave will be the company’s inaugural title.

“The Wave is a breathtaking VFX movie, comparable to the best Hollywood productions. We will market it as an action/disaster movie with a brainy plot, without mentioning that it’s a Norwegian film,” says Maroko. The Wave will hit French cinemas on July 27. 

Other Nordic titles were acquired recently by AB Group such as The Model and The Shamer’s Daughter but will not be released in French cinemas. “We are totally mainstream-driven and will only release a film theatrically if it has strong selling elements and if we are 100% sure it will deliver,’ notes Maroko.  

Another film acquired from TrustNordisk-the German thriller Who Am I directed by Baran bo Odar will most likely open in French cinemas.

On the TV drama side, AB Group acquired the Norwegian mobster comedy Lilyhammer for French speaking territories and licensed it to Canal+ and Arte.